Chapter 40 – Don’t Touch Me, Brother!

I comforted Stella until she finally calmed down.

"We're family. It's alright."

It's okay to show your vulnerable side.

I'll always be by your side.

'If only I had such a lovely sister like her.'

I would have surely bought her everything she wanted and cherished her.

Even though we aren't siblings who shared our childhoods and we aren't bound by blood,

I still enjoy protecting my sister as an elder brother.

"Have you finished crying?"

"…"

As if the embarrassment struck her belatedly, Stella turned her head away.

"I want to change."

"Use the room over there."

"Don't peek…"

The building's walls were full of gaping holes, failing to serve their purpose. You could almost see everything just by turning your head.

The sight of Stella lifting her skirt and sliding down her panties.

Of course, I didn't look. I only caught a glimpse while watching out for zombies.

"Brother, are you there?"

"I am."

Rather than doubting, Stella seemed more worried that I had disappeared.

'…She has become very gentle.'

Could this be the effect of the sanitary pad?

Compared to the constant sarcasm and aggression, the current Stella is akin to an angel.

"Do you need help?"

"No. How did you manage to get the underwear size just right?"

'That old man…'

How did he know Stella's underwear size? To use such transcendent power for this purpose… Although I confirmed that it was a brand new product with unopened packaging, the situation felt peculiar.

Stella's expression brightened considerably after all the preparations were complete.

"Can you walk?"

"If I endure it, a little."

The bandage is already stained with blood.

It should be fine if she moves slowly, but if she were to suddenly run, there's a high probability that the wound would open wide.

Ultimately, this means she won't be able to engage in pursuits or maneuvers.

"What about magic? How much can you use it going forward?"

"I have plenty. If it's just those zombies from before, there won't be a problem even if hundreds of them come."

As expected of an A-list mana wielder.

Her firepower is quite reliable.

'I think the best strategy would be to use Stella as a designated sharpshooter, or rather, a fixed artillery position… .'

It is an operation that requires unwavering mutual trust.

Can we truly say that our bond is strong enough to rely on?

"So, what if I go ahead and sweep them all away?"

"It would be too wasteful."

If Stella's magical power is depleted, we'll face immediate danger.

Especially while this dungeon still conceals the irregularity of rank advancement, magic must be utilized as efficiently as possible.

'Let's bring up the subject.'

In the end, I have no choice but to discuss it with Stella.

"Let's head to a more open area. I'll draw their attention with my pistol, so wait for the signal and then sweep them away."

Since zombies react to noise, a quiet battle is out of the question.

If I fire my gun, zombies will undoubtedly swarm.

The plan is to use this to our advantage and eradicate them all at once.

'The problem is, in case of emergency, Stella, whose legs are immobile, becomes incredibly vulnerable.'

"If the plan doesn't work out, I'll carry you and we'll escape."

"You will?"

"Yes, I'll never leave you behind. Can you trust me?"

"…"

Dragging the horde of zombies toward Stella, who cannot flee,

The intention is to maximize the effect of the magic.

If one couldn't trust a comrade to come to the rescue in a dire situation, it was a plan no wizard could ever give their assent to.

There are several uncertainties in this strategy.

An overwhelming number of zombies might appear, or the destructive force of the magic might be insufficient for annihilation…

In either case, it becomes perilous, as failure would mean being surrounded.

"If we succeed, we can eradicate them all."

"Indeed."

"I'll do it."

It's moving.

If it were Stella upon entering the dungeon, she would have said, "Are you mad to entrust your back to someone of D-rank?"

Stella accepted my plan without any grumbling.

A trust that had never existed between us,

It was the moment when a precious bond of faith was forged.

'In that case, I must certainly meet their expectations.'

Even if things go awry, I will always protect Stella.

If the gun fails, I'll use my feet or fists. Even if we're engulfed by the horde of zombies.

I won't leave Stella alone.

…Of course, it's best not to reach such a dire situation.

Stella, who emerged from the ruined building with my support, looked up at my face and said.

"What are you thinking right now, Brother?"

"Strangely, I wanted to buy a revolver when I came here. I didn't buy it because I thought you might be waiting…"

I had a plan to collect handguns and use them in rotation whenever they broke down.

Especially in guns like revolvers, which are manually loaded and have an integrated magazine and chamber, bullet jams don't occur. Structurally speaking.

I can't help but think how great it would have been to have a revolver now.

"…Heh."

As if the tension had dissipated, Stella let out a soft chuckle.

"Did you think it would be your turn? Aren't you underestimating me too much?"

"I can't trust you because you're an all-in magic-wielding klutz of a wizard."

"What's wrong with being all-in with magic? A wizard speaks with firepower."

"…No, for real. Among the comic books I've read, there's one with a female wizard who's obsessed with explosions, saying the same things as you."

I just got chills remembering that.

"Otaku."

"…We can talk about comics!"

"So what happens to the girl?"

"She musters all her strength and collapses… but the male protagonist always carries her."

Stella tightly grasped my sleeve.

"Does that make you the protagonist?"

"…"

Her cuteness was breathtaking.

Slightly damp eyes, a voice tinged with moisture.

Even the shy blush on her cheeks, I wondered if this was really the Stella I knew.

"…If you fall, I'll carry you."

She nodded.

Before the grand operation began, we exchanged one last confirming glance.

Up until now, my dungeon raids felt like picnics.

It seemed only natural to find and enter high-ranking dungeons without any sense of impending danger.

Pro hunter Yuuna's embrace was just that warm.

'This, too, is an industry that stakes lives.'

Stella was also a clumsy beginner in dungeon raids. Facing her first crisis and forging her first alliance.

We, albeit awkwardly, imitated hunters and embarked on the raid.

Bang! Bang!

After verifying that Stella had reached the designated point—the most expansive area in the city center—I fired several shots into the air.

Moans of "uuuuuu" echoed from every direction.

Continuously shooting, I swiftly circled the outskirts surrounding Stella.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

'They're gathering in large numbers.'

Upon checking with my detection skill, there were almost more than 200 of them.

It was evident that I had lured all the zombies in this dungeon.

'Is the boss not here yet?'

[Minion of Nightmare]

[C+ Rank]

[A member of the zombie lineage known as "The Resurrected Ones" within the Nightmare Realm. Characterized by a massive frame and swollen arms, they crush their enemies with immense strength.]

'A colossal zombie. Found it.'

Now, I just needed to wait for the enemies to enter Stella's attack range and give her the signal!

Unlike me, who could assess the entire situation due to my vision correction skill, Stella must be terrified.

Having to stand still while listening to the moans of zombies converging from every direction…

"Oppa! Is it not time yet?"

"Wait a little longer!"

More. Draw them in a little more.

The optimal moment to eliminate them all at once had come…!

"Begin!"

_Bang!_

As soon as the signal was given by shooting, a red lightning bolt erupted from Stella, illuminating the heart of the city. It was awe-inspiring.

The pulsating magical energy in the air was palpable on the skin. It felt as if a storm was brewing!

_[「Perception·Red」Activated]_

_[Red Lightning]_

_[Magical Discharge]_

_[Power A, Range A, Power Correction +2]_

_[For mages possessing the rare talent「Devil's Thunderbolt」, the magical discharge itself transforms into a thunderbolt that attacks enemies and ensnares them]_

'A rare talent.' Even though Stella was teased for being an all-in mage, her talent was unparalleled. Our little sister was far more impressive and powerful than any Onahole collector!

_Pajijijijik!!_

The unleashed「Red Lightning」instantly reduced hundreds of zombies and even their leader to ashes.

Incredible…! A dungeon below C rank posed no challenge for training!

Stella spoke with an exhilarated smile.

"Didn't I tell you it wouldn't be your turn?"

_[『Zombie Eradication』Condition Achieved]_

_[Nightmare Domain Strengthened… Dungeon Rank Rises to B]_

[Additional Reward]

It wasn't a dungeon clear.

There was still a rank increase left!

"Stella!"

I hurriedly rushed towards Stella.

The head zombie, which I thought was dead, was already transforming from its cocoon like a butterfly,

tearing its body apart and being reborn.

"Brother?"

[Nightmare's Kin, Hummingbird]

[Grade B+]

["The Resurrected Ones" have an extremely rare chance of dying, but they grow stronger and resurrect with a vengeance. They possess the ability to fly.]

*Boooung.*

The winged zombie soared into the air and attacked Stella.

I intervened using "Yaksha Charge," but

"Ugh!"

I was sent flying just from the impact of the collision and tumbled across the ground for a while.

"Brother!"

Hold on, is my arm bent at an odd angle?

[Authority「Saint's Protection」activates]

[Your wounds are healed with the power of Saint Erin from another world!!]

Huh? It's healed? I didn't even have time to feel the pain…

It was a manifestation of an authority I hadn't known about. "Can be used three times a day; not usable while Erin is caring for her child"… it states.

I can't fathom whose fault it is, but I feel slightly guilty for having taken up my mother's precious time to recover.

"I'm fine!"

The one in real danger is Stella…!

Lying down to ward off the airborne zombies, she pulls out her Glock and unloads the entire magazine.

Bang, bang, bang, bang!

As the slide rapidly recoils, the shell casings fly out with fervor.

It should have taken just one hit, but as expected, they avoided it.

'If I don't disrupt their stance, they won't get hit!'

A zombie drew a bone knife from its right hand and charged at me.

"Ahh!"

Sizzle, crackle!

The "Crimson Lightning" discharged from Stella's hand whizzes past my eyes. Due to that, the zombie couldn't reach me.

Stella glared with furious eyes.

"Don't touch my brother!"

An incomparable amount of mana surges wildly compared to when we defeated hundreds of zombies.

Facing Stella, who was preparing a powerful attack, the creature swiftly soared into the sky, concealing itself.

"Stella. Conserve your energy! Ranged attacks aren't hitting!"

But Stella had no intention of stopping. The mana continued to concentrate. Lightning spears, shimmering like a lion's mane, were created.

With a decisive motion, she released them. The lightning spears soared into the sky, impaling the flying zombie with immense force.

"Keeck!!"

As if embodying Stella's fury, the fierce electrical discharge painted the sky above the ruins a deep crimson.

"Magic doesn't miss."

[Red Lightning – Skewer Type]

[Class A Attack Magic]

[Power A+ Range C Tracking]

[A rare-talent "Devil's Thunderbolt" exclusive lightning-based attack magic. Like a sinner being skewered in hell, the target's body is pierced by lightning spears, inflicting excruciating pain and ultimately death.]

This was Stella's first use of attack magic, having only discharged mana until now.

"Kkeek! Kkeek!"

While the flying zombie writhed in pain from being impaled by the lightning spears, several more were conjured. At Stella's command, the spears struck from all directions. And once embedded, the spears discharged violently, the current flitting about like a maiden's hair.

Kwajijijijik!

"Keeeeek!"

[Dungeon Clear]

[Contribution 839% – Stella]

[Others – Kim Sang-hyuk]

"Die, die!!"

The spear relentlessly pierced the bodies of the monstrous zombies.

The embedded spear flashed periodically, like a Christmas tree ornament, burning the impaled creatures to a crisp.

In an instant… it was over.

"Stella!"

The dungeon began to crumble.

I hurriedly rushed to catch the collapsing Stella, embracing her to make sure she was unharmed.

Stella smiled faintly, as if she felt refreshed after giving her all.

"See, I told you. You couldn't even contribute 1%… not to me."

"Yes, as expected of Stella."

I hugged my proud younger sister tightly.

"Still, you should increase your strength and stamina. At least enough to forcibly break free from my chokehold."

"…Enough with the advice. Just give me a piggyback ride, since you're the protagonist, after all…"

Stella lost consciousness.

It seemed to be the aftermath of exhausting all her mana.

'I ought to be careful.'

What would a perverted older brother do, knowing she passed out in such a good mood?

I carried her on my back and took her to the infirmary.

"Oppa, what happened?"

"Stella was injured while protecting me. Please watch over her until she wakes up."

"Stella…? You'll have to tell me the story later!?"

Leaving Serena, who is eager to hear an entertaining tale, to take care of the situation, I went to the student cafeteria. Henna and Yuuna look slightly surprised when they see me.

"…Was the dungeon raid difficult?"

It appears as though I've been rolling on the floor.

"Yuuna… I've come to realize your importance, albeit belatedly."

"Wha-what are you talking about? All of a sudden… There are so many people listening!"

Yuuna's cheeks turn bright red.

I cling to her.

"Kyaa, kyaaak. Ki-Kim Sang-hyuk. What's wrong…? What happened?!"

"Teacher Yuuna… please continue to take care of me…."

"Ah, goodness… Fine. I get it. I get it…"

It's time for me to choose my meal.

[Beep]

[Insufficient funds]

"…For now, lend me some money to buy food. Henna."

"Here's your student ID."

"Weren't you wealthy…?"

"I spent it all on sanitary pads."

"Sanitary pads?"

Even Henna tilts her head, displaying a puzzled expression.

In truth, that was the entirety of it, leaving nothing more to discuss.

"That was, quite the exorbitantly priced menstrual pad."